What's next for the former smoke shop next to Ray's Candy Store on Avenue A?

Green World Convenience has been closed in recent months next to Ray's Candy Store on Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

We got some closure, so to speak, last week: The Marshal paid a visit on Oct. 1, and the landlord is now in legal possession of the space.

The unlicensed shop opened last fall, and was pretty promotional with sidewalk boards advertising flowers, edibles and pre-rolls. 

The business was, until May 2023, known as East Village New Deli. Then, in June 2023, it returned without the deli counter... only to close again and reopen as another exotic snack shop/weed shop. 

We have no idea what might be next... how about: Bring back Alphabets!

Avenue A deli news in review

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The East Village New Deli has gone dark at 115 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. Workers have been gutting the space and hauling out the shop's equipment in the past week. 

Door signage notes that counter staff Joe and Munch are now working a few storefronts to the north ...

...at the 14-month-old Avenue A Deli and Grill...

Avenue A Deli's manager said that Joe and Munch will be at his shop for the morning shift, 7 a.m. until around 4 p.m., making sandwiches and working the grill.

No official word just yet on what might be next for the East Village New Deli space. (Bring back Alphabets!)

The new St. Dymphna's outpost shapes up on Avenue A

A quick post for anyone curious about what's taking shape at 117 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place... this is the new (future) home of St. Dymphna's.

This is an encore presentation for the Irish-style pub, which closed on St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue last fall after 24 years in service. The new team includes previous owner Eric Baker, Brendan McElroy, proprietor of Dr. Brendan Mac Repair on St. Mark's Place, and a "St. Dymphna's family member."

Baker told me this about SD2 in March:

"I would not say we are trying to replicate the original space into the new one at all. Our goal is to honor the original while letting the new space dictate to us what it should be. Our goal is to recreate the community and cultural atmosphere, which is much more to important to us than architecture. We will be honoring the old space but this is much more of a reincarnation than replication."

Ownership is still shooting for a summer opening.

H/T Steven!

Previously on EV Grieve:
St. Dymphna's eyeing a return engagement, this time at 117 Avenue A

Reincarnations: St. Dymphna's set to return late spring-early summer on Avenue A

Bonefade Barbers mark arrival on Avenue A

A tipster told us last month that a barber shop is opening at 115 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

On Saturday, the coming soon message/skull arrived for Bonefade Barbers.

The space hasn't had a full-time tenant since Alphabets closed here in February 2014 and moved to 64 Avenue A.

Another barber shop for Avenue A?

A tipster tells us that a barber shop is opening at 115 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Work permits on file with the city show a business name of Bonefade Barbers.

If true, then this will be a competitive area for barbers. There is Ben's Barbers at 217 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street and Three Seat Espresso & Barber at 137 Avenue A between St. Mark's and Ninth Street. There are three barbers/salons on Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue, Ace of Cuts on Sixth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, and Neighborhood Barbers at 439 E. Ninth St between Avenue A and First Avenue. Probably among others.

The space was last home to a sales office for Blink Fitness. The last full-time tenant at No. 115, the gift shop Alphabets, closed here in February 2014, merging with their newly opened location at 64 Avenue A between Fifth Street and Fourth Street.

Also on the topic of new barbers... Best Barber has opened at 228 Avenue B between 13th Street and 14th Street...



They also have a location on 10th Avenue.

On the rental market: 66 E. Seventh St. and 115 Avenue A

Looking at two storefronts where "for rent" signs arrived this week....

66 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue



Back in June, Barbara Feinman Millinery closed here. Feinman retired, and the shop moved a few storefronts away to No. 80. Julia Emily Knox, who started working for Feinman in 2012, is now running East Village Hats. Check them out.

As for No. 66. Here are details per the listing at Sinvin:

Description
• Charming boutique space
• Landlord will deliver as a vanilla box
• Good for any use, including food
• Located in the heart of the East Village

Neighboring Tenants Tokio 7 • East Village Cheese • Studio Duarte • Van Leeuwen Ice Cream • Via Della Pace • Elevate • Cupcake Market • Agavi Juice Bar • Luke's Lobster • Roll It Up Ice Cream • Below 7th Paper & Gifts

There's a 10-year lease available for $3,650/month.

The storefront is located in one of the buildings that Raphael Toledano's Brookhill Properties is currently unloading selling.

115 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place



This space is empty again now that the Blink Fitness office moved into the new Blink Fitness that opens Tuesday at 98 Avenue A. No. 115 previously served as a sales office for Ben Shaoul's condoplex at 100 Avenue A.

The gift shop Alphabets closed here in in February 2014, merging with their (at the time) newly opened location at 64 Avenue A between Fifth Street and Fourth Street.

Per the 9300 Realty website, the 500-square-foot space (plus basement) is $6,995/Month. The listing doesn't get too specific, save for: "Across from Tompkins Square Park, next to the legendary Odessa Bar and other wonderful restaurants and stores."

The Odessa Cafe and Bar closed in August 2013 after 33 years in business.

This property is owned by Steve Croman, who was charged with 20 felonies and a civil suit accusing him of chasing low-income families out of their homes.

Avenue A Classic Food opening soon on — surprise! — Avenue A

Looks like Ray will have a little food company next door on Avenue A.

The awning is up for the new business taking over half of the former Alphabets space at 115 Avenue A — Avenue A Classic Food.

As you can see, the deli near East Seventh Street will sell wraps, smoothies, fresh juice, etc. We don't know much else about the new place at the moment.